NFL Tickets
In the NFL, building teams is all about drafting correctly. Early-round picks have to hit, but sometimes drafting well in the later rounds can be the difference between playoff teams and last-place squads. Here are 10 players who could be total steals in the second half of the draft in April.
10. CB Lloyd Carrington - Arizona State (Rounds 4-5)
Getty ImagesCarrington is a very sure tackler for a cornerback who also holds his own in coverage. At 6-foot-1, he has NFL size; now he just needs to show he has the athleticism to be a starter at the next level. He has shown at times he can make a huge impact, so it's not out of the question he could do that on Sundays.
2015 Stats: 51 tackles, interception return for a TD
Carrington is a very sure tackler for a cornerback who also holds his own in coverage. At 6-foot-1, he has NFL size; now he just needs to show he has the athleticism to be a starter at the next level. He has shown at times he can make a huge impact, so it's not out of the question he could do that on Sundays.
9. C Evan Boehm - Missouri (Round 5)
Getty ImagesIt's hard to measure offensive linemen based on stats because there aren't many, but looking beyond just size and strength is important in evaluations of this group of players. Boehm was a borderline first-round pick coming into this season and fell a long way after Missouri stumbled to a 5-7 record, but his leadership skills are off the charts. If he can figure out his footwork, he will be a great locker room guy and a consistent starter in the NFL for years.
2015 Stats: None available
It's hard to measure offensive linemen based on stats because there aren't many, but looking beyond just size and strength is important in evaluations of this group of players. Boehm was a borderline first-round pick coming into this season and fell a long way after Missouri stumbled to a 5-7 record, but his leadership skills are off the charts. If he can figure out his footwork, he will be a great locker room guy and a consistent starter in the NFL for years.
8. QB Trevone Boykin - TCU (Round 7-Undrafted)
Brett Davis-USA Today SportsBoykin has a unique skill set that may not translate at the next level, but he's so talented, he's worth the risk in the later rounds. His decision making is solid, and he can get out of the pocket and make plays with his feet. He's rough around the edges, but at this point, he's just a less polished version of Marcus Mariota, who went No. 2 overall last season.
2015 Stats: 64.9 percent completion, 3,575 yards, 31 TDs, 10 INTs, 592 rushing yards, 8 TDs
Boykin has a unique skill set that may not translate at the next level, but he's so talented, he's worth the risk in the later rounds. His decision making is solid, and he can get out of the pocket and make plays with his feet. He's rough around the edges, but at this point, he's just a less polished version of Marcus Mariota, who went No. 2 overall last season.
7. DT Chris Jones - Mississippi State (Rounds 4-5)
Getty ImagesChris Jones is one large human being at 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, and he takes up a lot of space in the middle of the field. His moves inside aren't as polished as some of the guys near the top of the draft board, but teams can work on that with him in training camp. The bottom line is that this guy is tireless and could wreak havoc in the middle for a very long time.
2015 Stats: 39 tackles, 2.5 sacks
Chris Jones is one large human being at 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, and he takes up a lot of space in the middle of the field. His moves inside aren't as polished as some of the guys near the top of the draft board, but teams can work on that with him in training camp. The bottom line is that this guy is tireless and could wreak havoc in the middle for a very long time.
6. QB Jeff Driskel - Louisiana Tech (Round 7)
Getty ImagesIt's hard to believe after seeing how poorly he played at Florida, but Driskel was one of the better quarterbacks in the country this year. He wasn't playing SEC defenses like he was in Gainesville, but he still showed maturity and the ability to make plays from the pocket. For that reason alone, some team is going to give him a chance as a "project" quarterback.
2015 Stats: 61.9 percent completion, 3,575 yards, 24 TDs, 8 INTs
It's hard to believe after seeing how poorly he played at Florida, but Driskel was one of the better quarterbacks in the country this year. He wasn't playing SEC defenses like he was in Gainesville, but he still showed maturity and the ability to make plays from the pocket. For that reason alone, some team is going to give him a chance as a "project" quarterback.
5. WR Devon Cajuste - Stanford (Round 4)
Getty ImagesCajuste didn't put up huge numbers this season, but he showed the ability to make some big plays in big spots. NFL teams looking for a No. 2 or 3 receiver might be able to steal one late in the draft in Cajuste if he can polish up his route running. The hands and the size are there; now he just needs an offseason to build on other skills and he could be a mainstay in the league.
2015 Stats: 26 catches, 375 yards, 3 TDs
Cajuste didn't put up huge numbers this season, but he showed the ability to make some big plays in big spots. NFL teams looking for a No. 2 or 3 receiver might be able to steal one late in the draft in Cajuste if he can polish up his route running. The hands and the size are there; now he just needs an offseason to build on other skills and he could be a mainstay in the league.
4. RB Keenan Reynolds - Navy (Round 6)
Getty ImagesReynolds plays quarterback in Navy's triple-option offense, but that practically makes him a running back which is the position he's being scouted for in the NFL Draft. He would have to transition to a new position, but his ability to make defenders miss in open space and read running lanes makes him worth a look. His intangibles are off the charts as well, so someone should be taking a late-round flyer on him.
2015 Stats: 1,229 rushing yards and 21 TDs
Reynolds plays quarterback in Navy's triple-option offense, but that practically makes him a running back which is the position he's being scouted for in the NFL Draft. He would have to transition to a new position, but his ability to make defenders miss in open space and read running lanes makes him worth a look. His intangibles are off the charts as well, so someone should be taking a late-round flyer on him.
3. QB Jacoby Brissett - North Carolina State (Round 6)
Mark Zerof-USA Today SportsBrissett has the size and skill set of a young Donovan McNabb and could be just as good as him if he got more pocket presence. The burly 6-foot-4, 235-pound signal-caller needs to be more aware and nimble on his feet to take the next step in his career, but he makes good decisions and has the size to make it at the next level. That should be enough to convince a team to make him a backup with hope he can develop into a starter within a couple years.
2015 Stats: 61.3 percent completion, 2,448 yards, 19 TDs, 4 INTs
Brissett has the size and skill set of a young Donovan McNabb and could be just as good as him if he got more pocket presence. The burly 6-foot-4, 235-pound signal-caller needs to be more aware and nimble on his feet to take the next step in his career, but he makes good decisions and has the size to make it at the next level. That should be enough to convince a team to make him a backup with hope he can develop into a starter within a couple years.
2. LB Cassanova McKinzy - Auburn (Rounds 4-5)
Getty ImagesFrom the inside linebacker position, McKinzy was downright dominant at times this season, racking up at least eight total tackles in four games. He needs to slim down a bit to fit more into the mold of an inside linebacker in the NFL, but there's definitely somewhere on the field that suits him. He's simply too big, strong and athletic not to get a shot to play on Sunday afternoons.
2015 Stats: 74 tackles and 5 sacks
From the inside linebacker position, McKinzy was downright dominant at times this season, racking up at least eight total tackles in four games. He needs to slim down a bit to fit more into the mold of an inside linebacker in the NFL, but there's definitely somewhere on the field that suits him. He's simply too big, strong and athletic not to get a shot to play on Sunday afternoons.
1. QB Cody Kessler - USC (Round 5)
Kirby Lee-USA Today SportsOnce upon a time, Kessler would've been one of the top quarterbacks available, but he kept managing to fly under the radar this season because he never strung together several great games at a time. That doesn't mean he didn't show flashes of brilliance, though. He's a bit undersized, but can absolutely play at the next level. Now, he just needs someone to take a chance on him.
2015 Stats: 67.6 percent completion, 3,315 yards, 28 TDs, 6 INTs
Once upon a time, Kessler would've been one of the top quarterbacks available, but he kept managing to fly under the radar this season because he never strung together several great games at a time. That doesn't mean he didn't show flashes of brilliance, though. He's a bit undersized, but can absolutely play at the next level. Now, he just needs someone to take a chance on him.
Share 
